Ft. Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Williams Academy
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, October 26, 2020
1. Williams Academy Marker
Williams Academy, originally located between Lemon Street and Anderson Avenue (later MLK Boulevard), was built in 1913. Named for J. S. Williams, the Lee County Supervisor of Colored Schools, it was Lee County's first government-funded school for black students. It served students from Lee County, Punta Gorda, and Charlotte County. In the 1930s, fire destroyed the second floor, and in 1937, the remaining building was moved to the African American Dunbar High School campus on Blount Street. The school was renamed Williams Primary School and served grades 1-2. In 1942, the school added two new classrooms, classes expanded to include grades 3-8, and the Williams Academy name was restored. In 1958, the original Williams building was dismantled and the 1942 addition was relocated elsewhere on the Dunbar campus. The addition served as a band room, daycare facility, and storage room. In 1994, the building was slated for demolition until the Lee County Black History Society requested that the school board give it to the organization. The building was relocated to Roberto Clemente Park in 1995, and reopened as the Williams Academy Black History Museum
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Erected 2019 by Lee County Black History Society and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1085.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 26° 38.542′ N, 81° 50.835′ W. Marker is in Ft. Myers, Florida, in Lee County. Marker can be reached from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Florida Route 82) 0.1 miles west of Henderson Avenue. Marker is located in Roberto Clemente Park in front of the old school. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3265 Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard, Fort Myers FL 33916, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Frierson-Hendry Cemetery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alderman House (approx. one mile away); National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Attack on Fort Myers (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fort Myers (approx. 1.3 miles away); First Street, Fort Myers (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Historic Riverfront (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pleasure Pier (approx. 1.4 miles away).
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, October 26, 2020
2. Williams Academy Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, October 26, 2020
3. Williams Academy and Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, October 26, 2020
4. Williams Academy
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
